Honor Flight

This is my Grandaddy- a World War II veteran. Saturday, August 21st, 2010 was a day that will probably live in infamy in his mind...a day that hopefully he'll remember with swelling pride and distinguished honor.

He was selected to be a part of the River Region's Honor Flight. This program flies World War II veterans to Washington, D.C. for the day and gives them a chance to tour many of the historic monuments...with the "star" being the WWII Memorial which opened to the public in 2004. He enjoyed the opportunity to see the WWII Memorial; however, Grandaddy told me his favorite part of the trip was visiting Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Solider. Here he is during the "Changing of the Guard" ceremony.

My Dad went with him...and it was quite the day. Their wake-up call was around 3:30 am in order to be at the airport to leave, and they did not return until close to 7:00 pm. They were welcomed at the Montgomery Airport by hundreds of people dressed in red, white, and blue...waving Old Glory with lots of applause and cheers. I was told it was unbelievable.

This is Congressmen Bobby Bright shaking Grandaddy's hand and thanking him for his service to our country.

The truth is...I know my Grandaddy is a WW II veteran but will never know what he actually went through to have that title. My knowledge about his days in the war are lacking. However, for me at least, I don't need that piece of the puzzle to legitimize the fact that he's a hero.

I mean...he's my Grandaddy...and that alone deems him a hero. If I know anything about grandparents, it's that they go absolutely bonkers over their grandchildren. I've seen this "behavior" in my own parents, and when I think back to my childhood, it was the same with Nanny and Grandaddy. They spoiled me- I remember RC Colas and Moon Pies galore, naps in the recliner complete with epic snoring, rides on the Harley (yes...Davidson), Mardi Gras beads (the "pearls" were my favorite), driving lesson on the riding lawn mower, and a trip to Disneyworld- just to name a few. I look back on these things, and they make me smile. Great memories.

Being a vet, I know there are many memories in Grandaddy's life that are not so great. He's the one who made the sacrifice of "not so great" memories in order for me to have the "great" ones. The older I get, the more that fact baffles me. Men and women who continue to serve our country in a way that is so profound-a trip to D.C. just doesn't seem to be enough.

However, I'm hoping that the Honor Flight at least knocked on the door of being "enough" for my Grandaddy. He was so grateful for the opporunity, and I am so grateful that he was well enough to go.

Because of Herbert Eugene Cooper's military service to the United States of America, I am the person I am today- and so are you "Blog Reader". And...I want to say "Thank You"...because I can read the back of your t-shirt in English.

Love,

Kelley "Re" Cooper Smith